Grade I winner and millionaire Gayego will enter stud in 2012 at the Hunderup family’s Norse Ridge Farm near King City, Ontario, Canada. The 6-year-old son of Gilded Time will stand for $6,500 (Canadian funds) stands and nurses.
Gayego raced at 2 and 3 for Cubanacan Stables and later for Godolphin. As a 2-year-old Gayego won at Hollywood Park in his first start. At 3 in his initial start, he set a track record at Santa Anita, winning the 6 1/2-furlong San Pedro Stakes in 1:13.07. He then ran second in the San Felipe Stakes (gr. II) before capturing the $1,000,000 Arkansas Derby (gr. II) in the spring. He closed out the year with a track-record-setting effort of 1:13.37 for 6 1/2-furlongs at Hollywood Park.
In his first year racing for Godolphin, Gayego captured the Ancient Title Stakes (gr. I) at Oak Tree at Santa Anita in a swift 1:08.28 for six furlongs and the Dayjur Mahab Al Shimaal (UAE-III). Also at 4, he ran second in the Godolphin Mile Sponsored by Etisalat (UAE-II) on Dubai World Cup day and finished fourth, beaten a neck, in the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I).
As a 5-year-old Gayego set a track record in the Presque Isle Mile Stakes and placed in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I), the Triple Bend Handicap (gr. I), and the Xpress Al Shindagha Sprint (UAE-III).
During his career Gayego won or placed in 14 of 21 races and earned $1,751,120. He is out of the stakes-winning Lost Code mare Devils Lake, who is a half sister to grade II winner Diamond Duo. He was bred in Kentucky by Hargus and Sandra Sexton.
Gayego will be available for viewing at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
The arrangement to stand Gayego at Norse Ridge was brokered by Bernard McCormick's Cara Bloodstock.